TMJD is no joke. You may even have started noticing some TMJ symptoms after working at home next to your spouse this past year. TMJD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a tightness in your jaw caused by various behavioral or hereditary factors. It can come from a constant clenching or grinding of your teeth (like when you have to listen to your partner on yet another Zoom call), a prior injury to your jaw, or a deteriorating arthritic condition. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that as many as 10 million people have TMJD disorders.
You may have TMJD if you are experiencing:
- Jaw pain,
- Stiffness in your jaw,
- Headaches,
- Locked jaw,
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening your jaw,
- Facial pain,
- Difficulty chewing,
- Or a variety of the above symptoms.
If left untreated, these symptoms can become debilitating – including severe neck and jaw pain, depression, and even eating disorders.
Functional medicine responses to TMJD
Traditional treatments for TMJD include measures as innocuous as jaw guards and custom-made splints that fit over your lower or upper jaw, to more serious and invasive surgeries or electrical nerve stimulation. Scary, right?
But there is a better way. Chiropractic adjustments correct misalignments in the jaw joints, relieving pressure on nerves and restoring joint function.
Studies show patients presenting with TMJD symptoms show improvement of up to 80 percent after a course of chiropractic treatment. At True Potential Chiropractic, our holistic approach includes a customized stretching and exercise routine to strengthen the jaw muscles. Our massage therapists can also work with you to improve and diminish your overall stress levels so you don't find yourself clenching your teeth next time your spouses' Zoom meeting is getting on your last nerve.